Light management system for wireless enabled fixture

ABSTRACT

A lighting management system includes communications circuitry, processing circuitry, and a memory. The memory stores instructions, which, when executed by the processing circuitry cause the lighting management system to receive a message from a lighting fixture via the communications circuitry, the message indicating a proximal presence of a detected mobile device to the lighting fixture, and performing one or more actions in response to receipt of the message. By performing the one or more actions upon receipt of the message as described above, a lighting system may be provided with additional functionality that enhances the lighting system.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/824,905, filed Mar. 20, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,076,471, which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/827,007, filedAug. 14, 2015, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2017/0048952 A1, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to lighting fixtures and systems.

BACKGROUND

Modern lighting fixtures continue to evolve, incorporating features suchas controllers, sensors, remote modules, and the like. Thesecontrollers, sensors, and remote modules may allow a lighting fixture toimplement lighting programs, respond to the surrounding environment, andbe controlled, for example, over a local area network and/or theInternet. Current lighting fixtures are generally controlled manually,by a user selecting one or more light output settings (e.g., lightintensity, color, and/or color temperature) for a particular lightingfixture or lighting fixtures. While this may be accomplished using aportable device such as a smart phone, it is often inconvenient tomanually adjust such settings.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved lighting fixtures and systems.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to lighting fixtures and systems. In oneembodiment, a lighting management system includes communicationscircuitry, processing circuitry, and a memory. The memory storesinstructions, which, when executed by the processing circuitry cause thelighting management system to receive a message from a lighting fixturevia the communications circuitry, the message indicating a proximalpresence of a detected mobile device to the lighting fixture, andperforming one or more actions in response to receipt of the message. Byperforming the one or more actions upon receipt of the message asdescribed above, a lighting system may be provided with additionalfunctionality that enhances the lighting system.

In one embodiment, the one or more actions include logging an eventindicating the detection of the proximal presence of the detected mobiledevice by the lighting fixture.

In one embodiment, the lighting fixture is associated with fixturelocation information describing a location of the lighting fixture. Themessage may therefore include mobile device distance informationdescribing a distance of the detected mobile device relative to thelighting fixture. Logging the event indicating the detection of theproximal presence of the detected mobile device to the lighting fixturemay therefore include storing a time that the detected mobile device wasdetected by the lighting fixture and the mobile device distanceinformation. In one embodiment, the memory stores further instructions,which, when executed by the processing circuitry cause the lightingmanagement system to instruct a display to provide a user interfacedisplaying a visual representation showing an approximate location ofthe detected mobile device with relation to the lighting fixture overtime. The visual representation may be an indicator on a map. In oneembodiment, the user interface may display a number of detected mobiledevices and/or a frequency of detection of the one or more mobiledevices.

In one embodiment, the one or more actions include determining if thedetected mobile device is associated with a settings profile indicatingone or more desired actions to be taken upon detection of the proximalpresence of the detected mobile device, and implementing the one or moredesired actions if there is an associated settings profile. All or aportion of the one or more desired actions may be forwarded to one ormore lighting fixtures. The one or more desired actions may include anaction to adjust one or more light output parameters of one or morelighting fixtures.

In one embodiment, the lighting management system may receive one ormore messages from each of a number of lighting fixtures whose locationis known, each one of the messages indicating a proximal presence of adetected mobile device to the lighting fixture, and analyze the messagesto determine an approximate location of the detected mobile device.

In one embodiment, a lighting fixture includes a light source, a housingcoupled to the light source, communications circuitry, and controlcircuitry. The housing includes an opening through which light from thelight source is provided. The communications circuitry is configured todetect a proximal presence of one or more mobile devices. The controlcircuitry includes a memory storing instructions, which, when executedby the control circuitry cause the lighting fixture to adjust one ormore light output parameters of the light source, detect the proximalpresence of one or more mobile devices via the communications circuitry,and perform one or more actions in response to the detection of theproximal presence of a detected mobile device. By performing one or moreactions in response to the proximal presence of a detected mobiledevice, a lighting fixture may intelligently and conveniently adapt to auser.

In one embodiment, the one or more actions include determining if thedetected mobile device is associated with a settings profile indicatingone or more desired actions to be taken upon detection of the proximalpresence of the detected mobile device, and performing the one or moredesired actions indicated by the settings profile in response todetermining that the detected mobile device is associated with asettings profile.

In one embodiment, the one or more light output parameters include alight intensity, a color, and a color temperature.

In one embodiment, the one or more actions include broadcasting amessage via the communications circuitry to one or more additionallighting fixtures, wherein the message indicates the proximal presenceof the detected mobile device to the lighting fixture. In oneembodiment, the message is broadcast to a lighting management system.

In one embodiment, the communications circuitry includes Bluetoothcommunications circuitry. Accordingly, the lighting fixture may beconfigured to detect the proximal presence of one or more mobile devicesby determining a received signal strength of a Bluetooth wirelesscommunications signal from each one of the one or more mobile devices.

In one embodiment, the memory stores further instructions, which, whenexecuted by the control circuitry cause the lighting fixture to estimatea distance from the lighting fixture to the detected mobile device.

In one embodiment, a lighting fixture includes a light source, a housingcoupled to the light source, communications circuitry, and controlcircuitry. The housing includes an opening through which light from thelight source is provided. The communications circuitry is configured toprovide a wireless fixture location signal including a unique fixtureidentifier and associated with a fixture location signal strength. Thecontrol circuitry includes a memory storing instructions, which, whenexecuted by the control circuitry cause the lighting fixture to providethe fixture location signal via the communications circuitry. Providingthe fixture location signal allows nearby mobile devices to determinetheir position with respect to the lighting fixture, which may be usefulin many situations.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the presentdisclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after reading thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments inassociation with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part ofthis specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a lighting fixture according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a lighting fixture according to an additionalembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic representation of a lighting fixtureaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a lighting system according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a lighting management systemaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operating a device ina lighting system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a communication flow between one ormore lighting fixtures and a mobile device according to one embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a communication flow between a lightingfixture, a mobile device, and an additional device according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a communication flow between one ormore lighting fixtures, a mobile device, and a lighting managementsystem according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a communication flow between one ormore lighting fixtures, a mobile device, and a lighting managementsystem according to an additional embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operating a device ina lighting system according to an additional embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operating a device ina lighting system according to an additional embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary user interface that may be used alongwith a lighting system according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for determining one ormore suggested settings for a lighting system according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary user interface that may be used alongwith a lighting system according to an additional embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 16A through 16C illustrate exemplary user interfaces that may beused along with a lighting system according to an additional embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a communication flow between alighting fixture, a mobile device, and a lighting management systemaccording to an additional embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information toenable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments andillustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading thefollowing description in light of the accompanying drawing figures,those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosureand will recognize applications of these concepts not particularlyaddressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts andapplications fall within the scope of the disclosure and theaccompanying claims.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another. For example, a first element could be termed asecond element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a firstelement, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, orsubstrate is referred to as being “on” or extending “onto” anotherelement, it can be directly on or extend directly onto the other elementor intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on” or extending “directlyonto” another element, there are no intervening elements present.Likewise, it will be understood that when an element such as a layer,region, or substrate is referred to as being “over” or extending “over”another element, it can be directly over or extend directly over theother element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly over” or extending“directly over” another element, there are no intervening elementspresent. It will also be understood that when an element is referred toas being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directlyconnected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyconnected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are nointervening elements present.

Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or“horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationshipof one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region asillustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms andthose discussed above are intended to encompass different orientationsof the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,”“comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein specifythe presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It willbe further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted ashaving a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context ofthis specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted inan idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The present disclosure relates to lighting fixtures and systems andmethods of operating the same. In one embodiment, a lighting systemincludes a number of lighting fixtures and a lighting management system.Each one of the lighting fixtures may include communications circuitry,which may in turn include wireless communications circuitry such asBluetooth wireless communications circuitry. The lighting fixtures maydetect the proximal presence of one or more mobile devices, for example,by scanning for wireless signals from nearby mobile devices via thecommunications circuitry. Upon the detection of the proximal presence ofone or more mobile devices, the lighting fixtures may perform any numberof desired actions. For example, the lighting fixtures may change one ormore light output settings thereof, may send a message to one or moreadditional lighting fixtures in the lighting system such that theadditional lighting fixtures may change one or more light outputsettings thereof, may send a message to one or more additional devicesremote to the lighting system such that the additional devices changeone or more settings in response thereto, and/or may send a message tothe lighting management system, which may in turn perform any number ofdifferent actions. The light output parameters may include a lightintensity, color, and/or color temperature. The lighting fixtures maydetect the proximal presence of the one or more mobile devices bydetermining a received signal strength of a Bluetooth wirelesscommunications signal from each one of the one or more mobile devices.

In addition to or in replacement of the functionality described abovewith respect to the communications circuitry, the communicationscircuitry in each one of the lighting fixtures may provide a fixturelocation signal, which includes a unique identifier for the lightingfixture and is associated with a fixture location signal strength. Amobile device receiving the fixture location signal may use the uniqueidentifier (which may be associated with information about the lightingfixture in the memory of the mobile device) and the fixture locationsignal strength to determine the proximity of the mobile device to thelighting fixture, and may take one or more desired actions upondetermining that the mobile device is within a predetermined distance ofthe lighting fixture. In one embodiment, the unique identifier in thefixture location signal is used to look up relevant information aboutthe lighting fixture, for example, the location thereof and one or moreactions associated therewith, via a local network and/or the Internet.

The lighting management system may receive a message from a lightingfixture in the lighting system, the message indicating a proximalpresence of a detected mobile device to the lighting fixture, andperform one or more actions in response to receipt of the message. Forexample, the lighting management system may log an event indicating thedetection of the proximal presence of the mobile device by the lightingfixture, and/or may send one or more messages to lighting fixtures inthe lighting system and other additional devices remote to the lightingsystem in order to facilitate a change of one or more settings therein.

Each one of the lighting fixtures in the lighting system may beassociated with fixture location information, which describes a locationof the lighting fixture. In such an embodiment, the messages providedfrom the lighting fixtures indicating the proximal presence of thedetected mobile device to the lighting fixture may further includemobile device distance information describing a distance of the detectedmobile device relative to the lighting fixture sending the message(which may be determined by examining the RSS of a signal emitted fromthe mobile device as discussed above). The lighting management systemmay log an event indicating the time that the detected mobile device wasdetected by the lighting fixture and the mobile device distanceinformation in response to the receipt thereof.

In one embodiment, the lighting management system may facilitate thedisplay of a user interface, either via a display attached directly tothe lighting management system or via a remote device, showing anapproximate location of the detected mobile device with relation to thelighting fixture. For example, the lighting management system mayfacilitate the display of a user interface showing an indicator on a mapdescribing a space in which the lighting system is located, wherein theindicator shows the approximate location of the detected mobile device.In another embodiment, the lighting management system may facilitate thedisplay of a user interface illustrating a number of detected mobiledevices detected by a lighting fixture or lighting fixtures over aperiod of time and/or a frequency of detection of mobile devices by alighting fixture or lighting fixtures over a period of time.

The lighting management system and/or one or more lighting fixtures inthe lighting system may be configured to determine if a detected mobiledevice is associated with a settings profile. The settings profile mayinclude settings preference information, which indicates one or moredesired settings that should be implemented upon detection of the mobiledevice. If the detected mobile device is associated with such a settingsprofile, the lighting management system and/or the lighting fixture(s)may facilitate the implementation of the desired settings in thesettings preference information. In one embodiment, the desired settingsinclude light output settings for one or more lighting fixtures in thelighting system, or settings for one or more networked speakers, mediaplayers, set top boxes, appliances, HVAC systems, and the like.

In one embodiment, the lighting management system may facilitate thedisplay of a user interface, either via a display attached directly tothe lighting management system or via a remote device, such that theuser interface allows for the creation of a settings profile associatedwith a mobile device. The settings profile may include settingspreference information indicating one or more desired settings to beassociated with a user of the mobile device such as light outputsettings from one or more lighting fixtures in the lighting systemand/or settings or one or more additional devices such as networkedspeakers, media players, set top boxes, appliances, HVAC systems, andthe like. As discussed above, these settings may be implemented upondetection of the proximal presence of the mobile device by one or morelighting fixtures in the lighting system.

In one embodiment, the lighting fixtures and/or the lighting managementsystem are configured to monitor one or more settings of the lightingfixtures and/or one or more additional devices in order to generatesuggested settings based thereon. For example, the lighting fixturesand/or the lighting management system may generate one or more suggestedsettings based on times that the lighting fixtures are generally turnedon or off, either independently or in association with one or moreadditional devices.

The lighting management system may analyze a number of messages sentfrom different lighting fixtures in the lighting system to approximate alocation of a detected mobile device within a space in which thelighting system is located. Further, the lighting management system maystore the determined location of the detected mobile device, and mayprovide a user interface, either via a display attached directly to thelighting management system or via a remote device, to displayinformation related to the location of the detected mobile device. Inone embodiment, the lighting management system may analyze any number ofmessages from one or more lighting fixtures in the lighting system inorder to determine a level of interest associated with a particular areain the space in which the lighting system is located. Determining alevel of interest associated with a particular area may includedetermining the number of devices detected near one or more lightingfixtures within the area of interest and/or determining the amount oftime each device was located near the one or more lighting fixtureswithin the area of interest. In general, analysis of the messagesindicating the detection of one or more mobile devices may be used tocharacterize the space in which the lighting system is located.

FIG. 1 shows a lighting fixture 10 according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The lighting fixture 10 includes a housing 12, whichsupports a light source (not shown) from which light is provided. A lens14 covers the light source and may filter light emanating therefrom. Anelectronics module (not shown) may be located within the housing 12, andmay include various circuitry, which will be described in detail below,configured to control one or more light output parameters of the lightsource and perform one or more additional functions. For example, theelectronics module may include driver circuitry configured to provide adesired amount of current to one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) inthe light source in order to deliver a desired light intensity, lightcolor, light color temperature, or the like. A reflector (not shown) maybe attached to the housing 12, for example, via one or more mountingholes 16, which may extend the housing 12 such that the lighting fixture10 may be used as a recessed lighting fixture for hanging in an openingin a ceiling.

FIG. 2 shows a lighting fixture 18 according to an additional embodimentof the present disclosure. The lighting fixture 18 is substantiallysimilar to that shown in FIG. 1 , except that the lighting fixture 18 isa troffer-type lighting fixture. The lighting fixture 18 includes ahousing 20, which supports a light source (not shown) from which lightis provided. A heat sink 22 may be coupled to the light source in orderto divert heat away from the light source. Light from the light sourcemay be provided indirectly such that the light provided from the lightsource is reflected from an inside portion of the housing 20 and througha lens 24. The lens 24 may filter the light emanated from the lightsource. An outer surface 26 of the housing 20 may act as a reflector,directing light from the light source in a desired direction. Anelectronics module (not shown) may be located within the housing 20, andmay include various circuitry, which will be discussed in detail below,configured to control one or more light output parameters of the lightsource and perform one or more additional functions.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a lighting fixture 28according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The lightingfixture 28 includes an electronics module 30 and a light source 32. Theelectronics module 30 includes control circuitry 34 (which in turnincludes a memory 36), communications circuitry 38, and sensor circuitry40. The control circuitry 34 may be the main control system for thelighting fixture 28. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 34 maybe the main driver circuitry for the light source 32 such that thecontrol circuitry 34 receives power, for example, from an AC powersource, and provides a desired amount of current to the light source 32.The communications circuitry 38 is configured to communicate, eitherwirelessly or otherwise, with one or more additional lighting fixtures,one or more lighting management systems, and/or one or more otherdevices such as controls. In one embodiment, the communicationscircuitry 38 includes Bluetooth wireless communications circuitry 38A.The communications circuitry 38, and in some embodiments the Bluetoothwireless communications circuitry 38A, may be configured to detect theproximal presence of one or more mobile devices, as discussed in detailbelow. The sensor circuitry 40 may include any number of sensors. Forexample, the sensor circuitry 40 may include an ambient light sensor42A, an occupancy sensor 42B, an imaging sensor 42C (i.e., a camera), atemperature sensor 42D, a humidity sensor 42E, a sound sensor 42F (i.e.,a microphone), an accelerometer 42G, an energy consumption sensor 42H,and the like.

The light source 32 may include any number of LEDs 44 arranged in anyfashion. For example, the light source 32 may include three strings ofseries-connected LEDs coupled in parallel with one another. The LEDs ineach one of the series-connected strings may each be different types ofLEDs, such that each of the different types of LEDs provides lighthaving a different light intensity, color, and/or color temperature thanthe other. The light output from each one of the series-connected LEDstrings may combine to provide light having one or more desired lightoutput characteristics, such as light intensity, color, and/or colortemperature. In one embodiment, the light source 32 includes a firstseries-connected LED string including a number of blue-shifted yellow(BSY) LEDs, a second series-connected LED string including a number ofblue-shifted green (BSG) LEDs, and a third series-connected LED stringincluding a number of red (R) LEDs. A number of series orparallel-connected switches may be coupled to one or more of the LEDs 44such that the current through the one or more LEDs can be independentlycontrolled to produce a desired light output. While primarily discussedin terms of light intensity, color, and color temperature, any number ofparameters of the light output of the lighting fixtures described hereinmay be changed based on the principles of the present disclosure. Forexample, a perceived vividness, a color saturation, or any other desiredlight output parameters may all be controlled based on the principlesdescribed herein.

FIG. 4 shows a lighting system 46 according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The lighting system 46 includes a number of lightingfixtures 48, which may be either the recessed-type lighting fixturedescribed with respect to FIG. 1 or the troffer-type lighting fixturedescribed with respect to FIG. 2 . Further, the lighting system 46includes a lighting management system 50. The lighting fixtures 48 mayeach be configured to communicate, wirelessly or otherwise, with oneanother and with the lighting management system 50. In one embodiment,the lighting fixtures 48 and the lighting management system 50 are partof a mesh wireless communications network. Accordingly, each one of thelighting fixtures 48 may only need to connect with one other lightingfixture 48 in the lighting system 46 in order to communicate with all ofthe devices in the lighting system 46, which may provide additionalflexibility and reliability within the lighting system 46. The lightingmanagement system 50 may be configured to communicate with the lightingfixtures 48 in order to collect data therefrom and/or provide commandsthereto, as discussed in detail below. Further, the lighting managementsystem 50 may include communications circuitry configured to connectwith one or more additional devices, for example, via the Internet asshown. Accordingly, the lighting management system 50 may act as agateway to the lighting system 46, allowing remote devices to controlthe lighting fixtures 48 or otherwise interface with the lighting system46.

FIG. 5 shows the lighting management system 50 according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. The lighting management system 50includes processing circuitry 52, a memory 54, and communicationscircuitry 56. The processing circuitry 52 may be configured to executeone or more instructions stored in the memory 54 in order to providecertain functionality of the lighting management system 50 as discussedin detail below. The communications circuitry 56 may allow the lightingmanagement system 50 to communicate, either wirelessly or otherwise,with the lighting fixtures 48 in the lighting system 46 or to one ormore additional devices, for example, via the Internet.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operating a lightingfixture 48 in the lighting system 46 according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. First, the lighting fixture 48 scans for theproximal presence of one or more mobile devices (step 100). Scanning forthe proximal presence of one or more mobile devices may be accomplishedin any number of ways. In one embodiment, the lighting fixture 48 scansfor a Bluetooth signal from one or more discoverable mobile devices.However, detecting the proximal presence of one or more mobile devicesmay be accomplished by any number of different ways known in the art. Insome embodiments, the lighting fixture 48 may further determine anapproximate distance of a detected mobile device from the lightingfixture 48, for example, by determining the RSS of a signal provided bythe mobile device. Details of Bluetooth signaling and device detectionmay be found in the Bluetooth Core Specification version 4.2, thecontents of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

Next, the lighting fixture 48 may optionally determine if there is asettings profile associated with the detected mobile device (step 102).In some embodiments, the lighting fixture 48 may locally store settingsprofiles associated with one or more mobile devices. Alternatively, thelighting fixture 48 may send a message to query an additional device fora settings profile associated with a detected mobile device, such thatthe determination if there is a settings profile associated with adetected mobile device is performed remotely to the lighting fixture 48.The settings profile may store settings preference information, such aslight output preferences for the lighting fixture 48 and one or moreadditional lighting fixtures 48 in the lighting system 46, as well assettings preference information for other devices which may becontrolled by the lighting fixture. For example, the settings profilemay store settings preference information for one or more networkedspeakers, media players, set top boxes, appliances, HVAC systems, andthe like.

If there is a settings profile associated with the detected mobiledevice, and if the settings profile includes settings preferenceinformation, the lighting fixture 48 may then facilitate theimplementation of one or more desired settings in the settingspreference information (step 104). For example, the lighting fixture 48may change one or more light output settings thereof (e.g., lightintensity, color, and/or color temperature), may send one or moremessages to additional lighting fixtures 48 in the lighting system 46such that the additional lighting fixtures 48 change one or more lightoutput settings thereof, may send one or more messages to additionaldevices in order to change the settings thereof, and/or may notify thelighting management system 50 of the detection of the mobile device suchthat the lighting management system 50 implements the desired settings.The lighting fixture 48 may then optionally facilitate recording of thedetection event (step 106). For example, the lighting fixture 48 maystore an identifier associated with the mobile device, a time ofdetection, and an approximate distance of the detected mobile device tothe lighting fixture 48. Alternatively, the lighting fixture 48 may senda message to the lighting management system 50 or any other deviceindicating that the receiving device should store any of the informationdiscussed above. If there is not a settings profile associated with thedetected mobile device, step 104 may be skipped entirely. The lightingfixture 48 may also optionally notify the detected mobile device of thedetection thereof, for example, by sending a message to the detectedmobile device (step 108).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a communication flow between a firstlighting fixture 48A, a second lighting fixture 48B, and a mobile device58 according to on embodiment of the present disclosure. As discussedbriefly above, the mobile device 58 may broadcast a Bluetooth signalindicating that the mobile device 58 is available for pairing (step200). Alternatively, the mobile device 58 may have already paired withthe first lighting fixture 48A in the past, and therefore may initiatepairing with the first lighting fixture 48A when it is in range thereof(also represented by step 200). The first lighting fixture 48A maytherefore detect the proximal presence of the mobile device 58 (step202). In response to the detection of the mobile device 58, the firstlighting fixture 48A may optionally send a message to the mobile device58 indicating that it has been detected (step 204). Further, the firstlighting fixture 48A may determine if there is a settings profileassociated with the mobile device 58 (step 206), and further may adjustone or more light output parameters based on settings preferenceinformation associated with the settings profile for the mobile device58 (step 208). The first lighting fixture 48A may further send a messageto the second lighting fixture 48B including all or a portion of thesettings preference information (step 210). Alternatively, the firstlighting fixture 48A may send a command to the second lighting fixture48B to adjust the light output thereof. In response to the message fromthe first lighting fixture 48A, the second lighting fixture 48B mayadjust one or more light output settings based on the settingspreference information in the message (step 212). Further, the secondlighting fixture 48B may optionally send an acknowledgement that thesettings preference information was received and the settingsimplemented (step 214).

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a communication flow between the firstlighting fixture 48A, the mobile device 58, and an additional device 60according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 issubstantially similar to FIG. 7 , wherein steps 300 through 308 are thesame as steps 200 through 208 in FIG. 7 . However, the second lightingfixture 48B in FIG. 8 is replaced with the additional device 60, whichmay be any number of different devices. For example, the additionaldevice 60 may be a networked speaker, a media player, a set top box, anappliance, a thermostat, and the like. The first lighting fixture 48Amay therefore send a command to the additional device 60 to adjust oneor more settings thereof (step 310). For example, the first lightingfixture 48A may send a command to adjust the volume of a networkedspeaker, may send a command to adjust a temperature of a thermostat, orthe like. The additional device 60 may then adjust the one or moresettings as indicated (step 312), and further may optionally send anacknowledgement to the first lighting fixture 48A (step 314).

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a communication flow between the firstlighting fixture 48A, the second lighting fixture 48B, the lightingmanagement system 50, and the mobile device 58 according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is substantially similar toFIG. 7 , wherein steps 400 through 404 are the same as steps 200 through204 in FIG. 7 . However, the actions associated with detection of themobile device 58 are offloaded to the lighting management system 50 inFIG. 9 . Accordingly, upon detection of the mobile device 58, the firstlighting fixture 48A sends a message to the lighting management system50 indicating the detection of the mobile device 58 (step 406). Inresponse to the message, the lighting management system 50 determines ifthe mobile device 58 is associated with a settings profile (step 408).If the mobile device 58 is associated with a settings profile, thelighting management system 50 then sends a message to the first lightingfixture 48A and the second lighting fixture 48B including all or aportion of settings preference information (step 410) as discussedabove. The first lighting fixture 48A and the second lighting fixture48B may in turn adjust the light output parameters thereof in order toreflect one or more desired settings in the settings preferenceinformation (step 412), and further may optionally acknowledge adjustingtheir settings (step 414). Alternatively, the lighting management system50 may send a command to each one of the first lighting fixture 48A andthe second lighting fixture 48B instructing them to adjust the lightoutput thereof.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a communication flow between the firstlighting fixture 48A, the lighting management system 50, the mobiledevice 58, and the additional device 60 according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 10 is substantially similar to FIG. 9 ,with steps 500 through 508 being the same as steps 400 through 408 inFIG. 9 . However, the second lighting fixture 48B is replaced with theadditional device 60 in FIG. 10 . Accordingly, the lighting managementsystem 50 sends a message to the first lighting fixture 48A and theadditional device 60 indicating one or more settings to change based onthe settings preferences information associated with the settingsprofile for the mobile device 58 (step 510). The first lighting fixture48A and the additional device 60 then adjust the settings thereof asinstructed (step 512), and optionally may send an acknowledgementthereof to the lighting management system 50 (step 514). Notably, theprinciples described in FIGS. 7-10 may be combined in any way in orderto effectuate the functionality of the lighting system 46 as discussedabove.

As discussed above, one or more lighting fixtures 48 in the lightingsystem 46 may be configured to determine a distance of a mobile devicetherefrom. Accordingly, FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a methodfor determining a distance of a mobile device from a lighting fixture48. First, the lighting fixture 48 receives a wireless signal from themobile device (step 600). In one embodiment, the wireless signal is aBluetooth wireless signal, as discussed above. The lighting fixture 48then determines a received signal strength (RSS) of the wireless signal(step 602). A distance of the mobile device from the lighting fixture 48is then estimated based on the RSS (step 604). For example, the RSS maybe compared to one or more values in a look-up-table to determine anapproximate distance of the mobile device 58 from the lighting fixture48. In some embodiments, distance approximations from multiple lightingfixtures 48 may then be analyzed in order to better approximate alocation of the mobile device, for example, via triangulation (step606).

As discussed above, a settings profile may be associated with a mobiledevice in order to implement one or more preferred settings upondetection of the mobile device. Accordingly, FIG. 12 is a flow diagramillustrating a method of associating a settings profile with a mobiledevice according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. First, alist of mobile devices is displayed (step 700). For example,instructions may be provided to a display, such that the display showsthe list of mobile devices. Next, a selection of a mobile device fromthe list of mobile devices is received (step 702). For example, aselection of a mobile device may be received by a user input peripheralor from a remote device via the Internet. In one embodiment, receivingthe selected mobile device may pair the mobile device with one or moreof the lighting fixtures 48 in the lighting system 46, for example, viaa Bluetooth pairing process. A number of different preferred settings tobe associated with the selected mobile device are displayed (step 704).For example, a number of light output settings for various lightingfixtures 48 in the lighting system 46 may be displayed along with anumber of preferred settings for any other devices. User inputindicating the one or more preferred settings is then received (step706) and stored as settings preference information associated with thesettings profile and the mobile device (step 708). In some embodiments,the settings profile may be associated with user information, such as auser name, a gender, a birth date, an address, and the like.Accordingly, user input indicating user identification information isreceived (step 710) in some embodiments. Notably, the foregoing stepsare merely illustrative, and a settings profile may be associated with amobile device in any number of different ways. In one embodiment, thesteps shown in FIG. 12 are performed by the lighting management system50. In an additional embodiment, the steps shown in FIG. 12 areperformed by a remote device (not shown).

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary user interface that may be used to associatea mobile device with a settings profile. Notably, the user interfaceshows a list of mobile devices. For a selected mobile device, the userinterface shows a number of different preferred settings to beassociated with the selected mobile device. A user input peripheral maybe used to make selections and provide input to the user interface,including saving a particular settings profile associated with a mobiledevice. Notably, the user interface shown in FIG. 13 is merelyexemplary, and any number of different user interfaces may be usedwithout departing from the principles of the present disclosure.

While FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary way to associate a settingsprofile with a mobile device, a user may often be unaware of particularpreferences for lighting and/or other devices that are often implementedby the user. For example, a user may often set the lights to a certainintensity, color, and/or color temperature at or near the same timeevery day, however, due to habit, may forget his or her preference fordoing so. As an additional example, a user may turn on music every dayupon his or her arrival at home. One or more of the lighting fixtures48, the lighting management system 50, and/or a remote device maymonitor settings such as light output settings and the like and analyzethem to extract patterns therefrom. These patterns may then be presentedto a user via a user interface or implemented automatically without anyaction required from a user. Accordingly, FIG. 14 is a flow diagramillustrating a method of determining a number of suggested settings forthe lighting fixtures 48 according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. First, the settings of each one of the lighting fixtures 48are monitored for a period of time (step 800). One or more patterns arethen extracted from the settings of each one of the lighting fixtures 48(step 802). These patterns may be independent to the lighting fixtures48 or may be in reference to other devices that are capable of beingmonitored by the lighting system 46. For example, the lightingmanagement system 50 or any other device associated with the lightingsystem 46 may be capable of receiving infrared signals, wirelessnetworking signals, and/or wired networking signals in order to monitorthe status of devices remote to the lighting system 46. Accordingly, thelighting system 46 may be capable of determining, for example, when atelevision is turned on with reference to the light output settings ofthe lighting fixtures 48 in the lighting system 46. In one exemplaryembodiment, the lighting system 46 may determine that the light outputsettings of one or more lighting fixtures 48 are set to a particularvalue at or around the same time each day, and therefore suggest thatsaid light output settings be implemented automatically in the future.As an additional example, the lighting system 46 may determine that thelight output settings of one or more lighting fixtures 48 are oftenadjusted to a particular value when a television is turned on, and thusmay suggest that such settings be implemented automatically in thefuture. Finally, a user interface may be provided, either directly orindirectly, to display the suggested settings and allow for theirimplementation (step 804). As discussed above, said user interface maybe shown by providing instructions to a display attached to the lightingmanagement system 50 or may be provided by a remote device incommunication with the lighting management system 50.

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary user interface that may be used to displayand allow for the implementation of one or more suggested settingsdetermined by the lighting system 46 as discussed above. As shown, alist of suggested settings is presented, with an option for a user toeither delete the suggested settings or implement the suggestedsettings. Notably, such a user interface is only exemplary and manyother ways of presenting the same information may be accomplishedwithout departing from the principles of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, each lighting fixture 48 in the lighting system 46may be associated with fixture location information describing thelocation of the lighting fixture 48. Details of associating fixturelocation information with lighting fixtures 48 in the lighting system 46is described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/826,892,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,750,112, the contents of which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety. If the location of each oneof the lighting fixtures 48 is known, and if the distance between eachlighting fixture 48 and a mobile device is known, an approximatelocation of the mobile device may be obtained and displayed, forexample, as an indicator on a map. Accordingly, FIG. 16A shows anexemplary user interface showing a map of a space in which the lightingsystem 46 is located. As shown, the map includes a number of differentlocations, each separated by a line. The map may describe the space interms of spatial coordinates, such that each one of the differentlocations is associated with a set of the spatial coordinates. Thelighting fixtures 48 are shown distributed throughout the map in variouslocations therein. Specifically, each one of the lighting fixtures 48 isshown in the set of spatial coordinates corresponding to the location inwhich they are located. An indicator showing the approximate location ofthe mobile device is shown on the map at the approximate spatialcoordinates corresponding thereto. While only one mobile device is shownin the user interface of FIG. 16A, multiple mobile devices may be shownusing a similar approach. As discussed above, the fixture locationinformation and mobile device distance information from multiplelighting fixtures 48 may be used to better approximate the location ofthe mobile device in various embodiments. If user information such as auser name is associated with a settings profile for the mobile device58, it may be possible to locate a particular individual using the aboveapproach. Such a feature may be useful, for example, when searching fora colleague that is often not at his or her desk in the office.

FIG. 16B shows a similar user interface to that shown in FIG. 16A,except that instead of showing an indicator of the approximate locationof a mobile device, the user interface displays an indicator of thenumber of mobile devices detected within a location over a period oftime. As shown, shading in each one of the locations may indicate thenumber of mobile devices currently detected within that location, or mayindicate the number of unique mobile devices detected in the locationfor a given period of time. Darker shading may indicate a larger numberof detected mobile devices than lighter shading. While the results areaveraged for each location in the map, the user interface may alsodisplay results with greater granularity based on the informationobtained from each individual lighting fixture 48. FIG. 16C shows asimilar user interface to that of FIG. 16B, except that instead ofshowing the number of mobile devices detected within a location over aperiod of time, the user interface displays an average time that eachdetected mobile device has spent in a location over a period of time. Asshown, shading in each one of the locations may indicate the averageamount of time that each detected mobile device spent in that location.Such a measurement may be useful, for example, when determining trafficpatterns within a building or the level of consumer interest in a retaildisplay, which may be located at a particular location in a space.

As discussed above, areas of interest may be associated with a space inwhich the lighting system 46 is located. Any of the above information,such as the number of mobile devices, the frequency of detection of themobile devices, the amount of time a mobile device is detected in aparticular area, or the like, may be analyzed and used to determine thelevel of interest in the areas of interest. For example, the number ofmobile devices and/or the amount of time that each mobile device isdetected within an area of interest may be indicative of a level ofconsumer interest, for example, in a retail display. User identificationinformation associated with a particular mobile device may be analyzedalong with the location information obtained about the mobile device totrack a user's preferences or construct a profile about the user, whichmay be used to provide targeted advertisements, targeted information, orthe like, to the user.

In addition to or in place of the functionality described above, one ormore of the lighting fixtures 48 in the lighting system 46 may also beconfigured to provide a fixture location signal. The fixture locationsignal may include a unique identifier for the lighting fixture and beassociated with a fixture location signal strength. Accordingly, amobile device may receive the fixture location signal and use it, forexample, to determine a location of the mobile device in an indoor spaceor to take one or more actions. Accordingly, FIG. 17 is a diagramillustrating a communication flow between a lighting fixture 48 in thelighting system 46, the lighting management system 50, and the mobiledevice 58. First, the lighting fixture 48 provides the fixture locationsignal via the communications circuitry 38 (step 900). In oneembodiment, the fixture location signal is a Bluetooth beacon signal andthus may be provided via the Bluetooth wireless communications circuitry38A. For example, the fixture location signal may be a Bluetooth lowenergy signal. The mobile device 58 receives the fixture locationsignal, which includes a unique identifier and is associated with afixture location signal strength, and determines a distance of themobile device 58 from the lighting fixture 48 by analyzing the fixturelocation signal strength (step 902). The mobile device 58 may also senda request to the lighting management system 50, either via a localnetwork or via the Internet, requesting data about the lighting fixture48 based on the unique identifier (step 904). In response, the lightingmanagement system 50 may provide information about the lighting fixture48, for example, the location thereof, and any actions that should betaken when within a predetermined distance from the lighting fixture 48(step 906). In response, the mobile device 58 may execute the indicatedactions (step 908). For example, the mobile device 58 may display anadvertisement, may show a map of a space in which the mobile device 58is located, or the like. In other embodiments, the mobile device 58 maystore information about the lighting fixture 48 in local memory, forexample, due to the fact that the mobile device 58 includes anapplication associated with the lighting system 46. Accordingly, themobile device 58 may simply retrieve said information from memorywithout requiring any communication with the lighting management system50 and execute any actions associated therewith.

Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modificationsto the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All suchimprovements and modifications are considered within the scope of theconcepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lighting fixture, comprising: a light source; communications circuitry; and processing circuitry configured to: detect a proximal presence of a mobile device via the communications circuitry; after detecting the proximal presence of the mobile device, determine a distance of the mobile device relative to the lighting fixture; and upon determining that the distance of the mobile device is within a predetermined distance of the lighting fixture, execute one or more desired actions associated with the mobile device, wherein the one or more desired actions comprise adjusting one or more light output parameters of the light source.
 2. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein executing the one or more desired actions comprises causing a nearby lighting fixture to turn on and adjust the one or more light output parameters of a corresponding light source.
 3. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein the one or more light output parameters comprise at least one of a non-binary light intensity, a color, or a color temperature.
 4. The lighting fixture of claim 3, wherein the one or more desired actions further comprise causing the communications circuitry to send a message to one or more additional lighting fixtures with instructions to adjust a light output thereof.
 5. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein the one or more desired actions further comprise logging an event indicating the detection of the proximal presence of the mobile device by the lighting fixture.
 6. The lighting fixture of claim 5, wherein logging the event indicating the detection of the proximal presence of the mobile device comprises storing a time that the mobile device was detected and the distance of the mobile device relative to the lighting fixture.
 7. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein the one or more desired actions further comprise forwarding at least a portion of the one or more desired actions to one or more additional lighting fixtures.
 8. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein the one or more desired actions further comprise forwarding at least a portion of the one or more desired actions to one or more additional devices.
 9. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to cause a display to provide a user interface displaying a visual representation showing an approximate location of the mobile device with relation to the lighting fixture over time.
 10. The lighting fixture of claim 9, wherein the visual representation is an indicator on a map.
 11. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to cause a display to provide a user interface displaying a visual representation illustrating a number of detected mobile devices in a period of time.
 12. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to cause a display to provide a user interface displaying a visual representation of a frequency of detection of one or more mobile devices in a period of time.
 13. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein the distance of the mobile device relative to the lighting fixture is determined by analyzing a signal strength of a signal emitted from the mobile device.
 14. A light system, comprising: communications circuitry; sensor circuitry; and processing circuitry configured to: detect a proximal presence of a mobile device; after detecting the proximal presence of the mobile device, determine a distance of the mobile device relative to the light system via the sensor circuitry; and upon determining that the distance of the mobile device is within a predetermined distance of the light system, execute one or more desired actions associated with the mobile device, wherein the one or more desired actions comprise adjusting one or more light output parameters of the light system.
 15. The light system of claim 14, further comprising a lighting fixture comprising a light source, wherein the lighting fixture is associated with fixture location information describing a location of the lighting fixture.
 16. The light system of claim 15, further comprising a lighting management system remote from and in communication with the lighting fixture, wherein the lighting management system comprises the processing circuitry.
 17. The light system of claim 16, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to cause the lighting management system to store the distance of the mobile device relative to the light source.
 18. The light system of claim 16, wherein the lighting management system is coupled to a display providing a user interface.
 19. The light system of claim 18, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to instruct the display to show a location of the mobile device over time.
 20. The light system of claim 14, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to track locations of the mobile device relative to the light source and one or more additional light sources over time.
 21. The light system of claim 20, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to analyze the locations of the mobile device over time in order to determine a level of interest associated with one or more areas of interest. 